The Transfer Tavern

Appointing Thierry Henry is a risk that Leicester cannot afford to take

Leicester’s opening day defeat to Manchester United has reportedly put Claude Puel under pressure already.

The Foxes lost five of their last seven games in the Premier League last season which led to speculation that the Frenchman could be sacked. However, the Leicester board decided to keep faith with the ex-Southampton boss who spent £100m to improve his squad this summer. Following the 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils, his job may not be safe.

According to reports, Puel has just two games left to save his job at the King Power Stadium. Leicester are ready to wield the managerial axe during the international break if he cannot improve their fortunes in the next few weeks. Leicester face Wolves next, before a trip to Southampton is followed by a visit from Liverpool – things do not get any easier.

Should Puel lose his job, reports suggest Thierry Henry is in the running to replace him in the dugout. The Arsenal legend has been working with Belgium as Roberto Martinez’s number two and rejected a bumper-deal from Sky Sports in order to focus on his managerial career. It is suggested he would compete with Martinez for the job at Leicester if Puel is given his marching orders.

It would be Henry’s first venture into club management, and a risk Leicester simply cannot afford to take. Given the strength of the promoted sides, competition to stay in the Premier League will be fierce and a few bad results could mean the Foxes are dragged into a relegation battle. Henry has no experience of dealing with a such a situation which could prove costly.